By Sea

Orkney Ferries provide a twice weekly sailing to North Ronaldsay in the summer months and weather dependent weekly sailings in the winter months . There are Sunday excursions in the summer months which may also take in other islands enroute.

The weather and tide provide uncertainties for docking at the island's pier, at which the inter-island ferries switch from their normal roll-on/roll-off operation to lift-on/lift-off by crane.

It is always advisable to check the Orkney Ferries website the afternoon before sailing for any updates on sailing times. The journey takes approximately three hours depending on wind and tides.

There are small motor boats available for charter generally based in Kirkwall or Stromness but these will be very dependent on weather/tide conditions.

Travelling to the Island

In the slide show above are some photos of the various methods of Transport to the Island.

They are grouped together as one slideshow.

Group 1 Flying to North Ronaldsay

Group 2 Sailing to North Ronaldsay

Getting to North Ronaldsay these days is relatively easy compared to times past when there was only a Steamer from Kirkwall once every two weeks depending on the weather.

By Air

The easiest and fastest method of travel is to fly to North Ronaldsay using the scheduled service operated by Loganair from Kirkwall Airport. Loganair operate a thrice daily service which takes about 20 minutes. It is recommended to take a camera as the views from the plane are often remarkably clear and depending on the altitude Fair Isle, Foula and Sumburgh Head are often visible.

For further information and bookings and timetables, contact Loganair here.

Travelling to Orkney

By Air

Flights to Orkney are operated by Loganair into Kirkwall Airport.

There are several options for interconnecting flights to further afield BA being one.

By Sea

Pentland Ferries operate between St. Margaret’s Hope Orkney and Gills Bay Caithness.

 http://www.pentlandferries.co.uk/

Northlink Ferries operate between Aberdeen, Kirkwall and Lerwick

They also operate between Stromness and Scrabster

http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/

John O’ Groats Passenger ferry operates between Burwick (South Ronaldsay) and John O’ Groats in the summer months

http://www.jogferry.co.uk/Home.aspx

Wick and Thurso have railway stations; Wick, Thurso and John O' Groats have coach connections and cars can be left at the ferry terminals or airport as required.

If you are driving road conditions can be checked at Traffic Scotland.